Our print publications are advertiser supported. For those wishing to access our content online, we have implemented a small charge so we may continue to provide our valued readers and community with unique, high quality local content. Thank you for supporting your local newspaper.

Local Life

A bevy of outdoor ways to start the summer

Community events to kick off the season

Rocky Mountain Brew Runs is hosting a 4-mile run and beer tasting even that is open to all ages on Sunday, May 27, at Highlands Ranch’s Grist Brewing.

Located at the famous Heritage Square site, the park features amusement rides, bumper boats, paddle boats, go-karts for adults and children, miniature golf courses, an arcade and a zip line.

“For our Memorial Day event we’re going to have extra activities for children, including face painting, a photo booth, a street magician, live music and more,” said Liz Miller, media relations with Cutter Communications. “We’re excited for people to relive memories at our site and make some new ones.”

For a free event that not only brings together family members, but the community at large is the first Highlands Ranch Field Day and Picnic, hosted by the Community Builders of Colorado from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, at Redstone Park, 3280 Redstone Park Circle in Highlands Ranch.

“It seems like people aren’t as interested as getting together as a community anymore,” said Jolene Rheault, public relations director with Community Builders. “We want people to be proud of their community and know that everyone can get together to have a good time for something like Memorial Day.”

Attendees are invited to bring a picnic or sample some of the wares at one of the largest gathering of food trucks in Highlands Ranch. There will also be a beer and wine garden featuring selections from local breweries and wineries and live acoustic music.

There will also be traditional field day and carnival games, as well as a kickball and golf chipping contest that can be entered for cash prizes as well as prizes from local businesses.

“We’d like this to become an annual event we do for the community every summer,” Rheault added. “It was partly inspired by the field day that kids have at school, and we want to keep providing this kind of free event for kids and their parents.”

Those searching for a little more active way to enjoy the outdoors won’t want to miss the Memorial Day Nerf battle in Englewood. The event is for those 5 years old and older.

Hosted at Cornerstone Park, 5150 S. Windemere St., beginning at 10 a.m. on May 28, the event is a kind of summer kickoff for Battle Zone — a mobile Nerf arena company since 2015.

Finally, something a little more adult happening over the weekend is the Red, White and Brew Run with Grist Brewing.

Rocky Mountain Brew Runs is hosting the event at Grist, 9150 Commerce Center Circle, Suite 300, in Highlands Ranch. The run begins at 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, and is designed to be open for everyone.

“This is a social fun run to celebrate the start of summer, and people can bring kids in a stroller and dogs, and just walk if they want to,” said Lauren Jones, event coordinator with Rocky Mountain Brew Runs. “We also have fun and silly beer Olympic games that are a lot of fun for people.”

The four-mile run finishes up with an ice-cold brew and food trucks, and all the proceeds benefit local nonprofits Epic Experience and Vet Expeditions.

“These kinds of events bring out more people than just some competitive 5K,” Jones said. “It’s fun to watch or participate in a family-friendly, dog friendly event and then try some craft brews afterward.”

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, was named chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and Investigations panel. The move Jan. 15 move gives the Colorado Democrat considerable sway …

The Valor Christian football team was once again playing in a state championship game on Dec. 1 at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. In that game, Valor completed an undefeated 14-win season and captured …